Wars and rumors of wars . . .

Daily news is depressing. Besides the ‘human-interest’ stories about fallen leaders, terrible accidents, sickness and harm to innocents, there are ongoing conflicts that make me wonder if there is any desire on either side for resolution and peace. A quick look at a Wikipedia page shows four major wars with 10,000 or more deaths in current or past year, six with 1000-9999 deaths, 25 with less casualties yet many of these have been brewing for decades, and 17 skirmishes and clashes with fewer than 100 deaths in the current or past year. That is too many.

Fighting seems so normal that most people don’t give it much thought unless they are in one of those battles or have a loved one ‘gone to war’ and fighting with one side or the other. The causes? It began thousands of years ago when one brother became jealous of his sibling because his own offering was not pleasing to God and his brother’s offering was accepted:

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. (Genesis 4:6–8)

Anger against another can cause strife as can other negative attitudes and desires. The New Testament puts it this way:

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:1–4)

This passage puts selfish desires at the root of fighting among individuals, even groups. These desires include power over others, having more stuff, gaining respect and so on. God’s Word says our desire to run our own lives is sinful, an “I want what I want when I want it” attitude. If denied, this can lead to a spat or even a full-scale war.

What is the cure? God goes to the root of the problem. He sent Jesus to take the punishment we deserve for our selfishness and then offers us a new heart, a new attitude. He describes how this worked concerning the conflict between Gentiles and Jews, speaking to the Gentiles:

. . . Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11–22)

This is the Gospel and this is God’s solution for war. What is most interesting is that in today’s world, those who take the Gospel to the world are often treated like enemies and forbidden to speak, even killed. People would rather fight to get their way and even die in that fight than yield to God and let Him have His way, a way of life and peace.

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Lord Jesus, I desire peace in the world. It begins with total contentment in my own heart. It also means praying in great faith in You to do what You alone can do. I need to trust You that no matter what happens in the daily news, You are the Prince of peace. Your will is primary and will be done, regardless of the horrors in the world and anyone’s desire to want heaven on earth right now.

Today’s thankful list . . .

So many things to think about and pray about.

A walk outside to do both.

Hubby’s call from work just to chat.

Balancing my bank accounts.

Fried chicken and fresh peaches.

The pleasant fatigue from hard work.

A call to proclaim that death is not the end

A church building used to be called a sanctuary, a place of safety. Another shooting, this time during a church service in Texas, brings out the need for security and how some congregations have cameras and people watching for intruders.

My heart aches for those who suffer. At times, I’ve wondered what I would do if someone did that in our church. We want people to come, but attacks like this can certainly add to the qualms some already have about going to church.

Today’s Scripture reveal that this is not God’s intention. He says, “whosoever will may come” even in the Old Testament. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, were to bring this invitation to the world:

“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.” (Isaiah 45:22–25)

God’s intention for redemption was never confined to the Jews only. Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:14–16)

Many NT passages confirm His plan to include all people, such as Ephesians 2:11–22 which says in part, that Gentiles were formerly “separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone . . .  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

In the last book of the Bible, God says Jesus “was slain and His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9) God intends that all are welcome in His family, despite the efforts of our spiritual enemy who tries to divide and destroy, to upset and split congregations, to sever relationships by stirring up strife and fear. No doubt he was involved in this latest horrible event, trying to ruin, divide, and destroy.

However, God is more powerful. Israel failed to welcome the nations, but now the Body of Christ is united in one Body. We all die, but we all live again because we are His and God tells us to act like it:

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace . . .” (Ephesians 4:1–6)

What does this have to do with Texas? God calls His family to display our unity and courage in Christ, to not allow Satan’s ploy to separate us, or to keep us from welcoming others — especially those fearful of being in a church on a Sunday morning. The good news is that anyone Satan ‘destroys’ is with Jesus in eternity, never again to suffer or be in danger!

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Jesus, this is God’s promise — to use all things for good in the lives of those who love You. The Christians who died on Sunday are with You. You took them home in a way that seems senseless and tragic to us, yet they are home and safe with You. May Your people stand united to support those who grieve. May we declare that this is not the end of their lives. Our invitation to come to Jesus stands firm because the power of redemption and the promises of God make death the beginning of a glorious forever with You.